How fast does hazel grow

Hazel grows across much of Europe, parts of north Africa and western Asia. In the UK it's often found in the understorey of lowland oak, ash or birch woodland, and in scrub and hedgerows. Hazel leaves provide food for the caterpillars of moths, including the large emerald, small white wave, barred umber and nut-tree tussock. In managed woodland where hazel is coppiced, the open, wildflower-rich habitat supports species of butterfly, particularly fritillaries.

Coppiced hazel also provides shelter for ground-nesting birds, such as the nightingale, nightjar, yellowhammer and willow warbler. Hazel has long been associated with the dormouse also known as the hazel dormouse.

Not only are hazelnuts eaten by dormice to fatten up for hibernation, but in spring the leaves are a good source of caterpillars, which dormice also eat. Hazelnuts are also eaten by woodpeckers, nuthatches, tits, wood pigeons, jays and small mammals.

Hazel flowers provide early pollen as a food for bees. However, bees find it difficult to collect and can only gather it in small loads. This is because the pollen of wind-pollinated hazel is not sticky and each grain actually repels against another. The trunks are often covered in mosses, liverworts and lichens, and the fiery milkcap fungus grows in the soil beneath.

Hazel has a reputation as a magical tree. A hazel rod is supposed to protect against evil spirits, as well as being used as a wand and for water-divining. Hazel wood can be twisted or knotted, and as such it historically had many uses. These included thatching spars, net stakes, water-divining sticks, hurdles and furniture. Hazel was also valued for its nuts, or 'cobs'.

Today, hazel coppice has become an important management strategy in the conservation of woodland habitats for wildlife. Once a tree is established, in its second to fifth year, you will begin to notice hazelnuts forming during May. While they are still growing on the tree, hazelnuts are green.

As the nuts mature, they begin to turn brown. Hazelnuts signify that they are ready for harvest by falling from the tree. Nuts begin to fall from the tree as early as August but are generally ready for harvest during September and October. Due to its dense canopy and blockage of sunlight, hazelnut trees usually have very little turf grass growing beneath them, making it easier to spot and harvest nuts as they fall to the ground. Home Guides Garden Gardening. See our complete guide for harvesting hazelnuts here.

Dry the nuts by laying them on trays and putting them in a warm place out of the sun for a few weeks, turning the nuts every couple of days. Once they are fully dry, scrape off the papery husks. You can shell them or store them in the shells. In the shell, they will keep at room temperature for several months. Eat shelled nuts within a few weeks or refrigerate them for up to a year.

Whether roasted on an open fire, toasted and served atop a salad, or crushed and sprinkled over a decadent chocolate cake, having a stock of homegrown hazelnuts around the kitchen sure opens up some interesting culinary possibilities! For a hearty hazelnut-infused dinner, try this wholesome pumpkin kamut with pecorino and hazelnuts. Topped with some fresh grated cheese and toasted hazelnuts, this hearty meal is sure to leave you satisfied. Find the recipe on our sister site, Foodal.

If you are in the mood for a decadent treat, look no further than this mouthwatering recipe for dark chocolate hazelnut truffles. Only four ingredients and 25 minutes are required to create an irresistible dessert that may be just too good to share. Check out the recipe, also on Foodal. Once the shrub is in the ground, you only have to wait a few seasons until you can begin filling your home with the buttery aroma of fresh roasted hazelnuts.

And for more information about growing your own nut trees , check out these guides next:. See our TOS for more details. Product photos via Nature Hills Nursery. Uncredited photos: Shutterstock. Heather Buckner hails from amongst the glistening lakes of Minnesota, and now lives with her family on a beautiful homestead in the Vermont Mountains.

She holds a bachelor of science degree in environmental science from Tufts University, and has traveled and worked in many roles in conservation and environmental advocacy, including creating and managing programs based around resource conservation, organic gardening, food security, and building leadership skills. Heather is a certified permaculture designer and student herbalist. She is also a fanatical gardener, and enjoys spending as much time covered in dirt as possible! A great article.

I only have a small garden and only have room for one tree. Could I incorporate a hazel in my hedge to aid pollination?

The only thing is my hedg is in the back garden and the tree will Ben in the front. Will this work and what to varieties would you recommend? Thank you Claire UK. Hi Claire, Glad you enjoyed the article and thanks for your question! Are you just looking for a shrub or tree that will aid in bringing pollinators to your garden? Additionally, if you are hoping for nuts, you would need to plant two or more varieties for cross pollination. If you are looking for something to plant for attracting pollinators, I might reccomend going with a native flowering fruit tree instead.

You can … Read more ». It was so healthy amidst the maples and wild cherry. At a distance of about 50 feet saplings were growing all among the hardwoods. Wonderful discovery in my part of Appalachia. Thank you! What a helpful article. I do want to keep them pretty short and manageable. I wonder if anyone does an espalier with them? I would love them to be a sort of fence in a few years… What do you think?

Glad you enjoyed the article and nice to meet a neighbor! I have never seen this myself, but since hazelnuts are multi stemmed and flexible, I would imagine they could be easily formed or woven into an fence or lattice.

If you try this, I would love to hear how it goes! I planted about 50 hazelnuts as bare root plants about 2. They are in full sun, planted in red clay soil with some amendment. They have been lightly fertilized. What are the most likely causes of their failure to grow significantly?

Thanks, Joe. It is hard to say for certain why your trees are not growing well, but there are various factors that could certainly lead to stunted growth. It could be an issue with the stock you purchased. Leave them over the winter. From the end of February you should check for signs of germination.

Sow in large pots, two per pot or in a seed bed. Plant seeds cm deep and firm soil around them. Make sure that you water enough to keep the pots moist and remember to guard against mice. They love hazelnuts and will try to get at them and could easily eat all your hard work. Cover pots or beds with netting or wire mesh and protect until saplings are well established and at least 15cm tall.